Safety mail box



SAFETY MAIL BOX Filed Dec. 26, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 as r" 74 I02 \Lso2a nos :50 ;no A 96 I38 I04 446 us i 58 W i 52 FIGZ INVENTORS LOUIS .1sunuzson BY WILLIAM ARNOLD\ ATTORNEY 1966 L. J. BURLESON ETAL 3,295,124

SAFETY MAIL BOX Filed Dec. 26, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 a '1 zea 250- i 242FIG. 4 226 236) 236 FIG. 5

FIG. 6 s

268 G38 252 212 J m 2 336 2a 266 f/t 27L?" I q f INVENTggsON 2, J J 330LOUlS J. BURL 262 J 332 326 WILLIAM ARNOLD ATTORNEY Dec. 27,

Filed Dec.

1965 L. J. BURLESON ETAL 3,295,124

SAFETY MAIL BOX 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 504 I2 L 5'0 use F IG. u INVENTORS 466506) LOUIS J. BURLESON i1 FIG. II BYWILLIAM ARNOLD 4642 468 Q4 4DAL-044m ATTOR N EY 1966 L. J. BURLESON ETAL 3,295,124

SAFETY MAIL BOX 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed D90. 26, 1962 LOUIS J WILLIAMARNOLD M ,4/, MM ATTORNEY 3 FIG. I5

.2 r 6981 sao United States Patent Kans.

Filed Dec. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 247,269 3 Claims. (Cl. 346-281) Thisinvention relates to safety box means and in a more specific aspect tobox means for the receipt of mail or the like. In a still more specificaspect the invention relates to safety mail boxes or the like havingsignal or alarm means therewith which are constructed and adapted sothat the alarm means is operated when mail is inserted into a mail boxor the like. In another specific aspect the invention relates to safetymail boxes or the like which have signal .means therewith including bothvisual and audible signals which are operated to indicate to theoccupant of a house, apartment, etc. that mail is being inserted into orremoved from the box and that the signaling apparatus is in an operativecondition.

Various types of safety box means including mail boxes are known to theprior art. These includes box means having signaling means therewithwhich are operated upon opening or closing of the mail box to provide asignal to the house owner. However, the mail box means of the prior artin many instances do not provide both visual and audible signal meansand in other instances one or both of the signal means are onlyintermittently operated upon insertion of mail or the like into the boxso that the home owner is not warned everytime someone is opening andclosing the mail box. In addition, the prior art signal type mail boxesor the like do not include means which prevent tampering with the signalapparatus to prevent operation thereof upon opening of the mail box toeliminate operation of the signal means.

In accordance with the present invention new safety box means for mailor the like are provided which overcome many of the disadvantages of theprior art devices. The safety box means of the invention include meanswhich define a hollow receptacle which has an opening therein of size toreceive and pass mail or the like into the receptacle. Switch means aremounted on the means defining the receptacle and have switch operatormeans therewith operable to connect and disconnect electrical contactsin the switch means. Electrically operated signal means are operativelyconnected to the electrical contacts in the switch means and to a sourceof electric power so that signal means are operated by movement of theswitch operator means. Switch actuating means are movably mounted on thereceptacle and have a portion thereof engagable with the switch operatormeans and movable relative thereto to open and close the switch meansand control operation of the signal means. The switch engaging portionof the actuating means is positioned in the receptacle and moved to aposition to close the contacts in the switch means everytime mail or thelike is inserted into the receptacle through the opening.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide new safety boxmeans for the receipt of mail or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide new safety mail box meanshaving both visual and audible signal means which are operated everytimemail or the like is inserted into the box means.

A further object of the invention is to provide new mail box meanshaving signal means electrically connected to switch means in the boxmeans and having upper and lower door means for insertion of and removalof mail from the box means with said signal means being operated uponthe opening of either of the door means.

Another object of the invention is to provide new safety mail box meansspecifically constructed and adapted for use as a rural mail box.

Another object of the invention is to provide new safety mail box meanswhich are specifically constructed and adapted for use with apartmentbuildings and the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide new mail box meansmountable in the wall of a house, apartment or the like with one doorthereof openable to the outside of the building to receive mail or thelike and having signal means therewith placed in an operable positionupon opening of the outside door with other door means openable from theinside of the building to remove mail, etc.

A further object of the invention is to provide new safety mail boxconstructions having a movably mounted mail receiving portionpositionable in a container or the like with switch actuating meanspositioned to be operable upon insertion or removal of mail to operatesignal means mounted in a house or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide new safety mail boxmeans having signal means therewith wherein the mail boxes areconstructed to prevent tampering with the switch means without actuatingthe signal means.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdiscussion taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view, partially cut away, illustrating apreferred specific embodiment of the safety mail box of the inventionand showing upper and lower door means in an open position.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross section view of the mail box of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partially schematic view illustrating the electricalconnections of the mail box of FIGS. 1 and 2 and showing the signalmeans and housing therefor.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of another preferred specific embodiment ofthe invention which is constructed and adapted for use in apartmentbuildings and the like.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross section view through the mail box of FIG.4 and showing the mail box mounted in the wall of a building.

FIG. 6 is a transverse cross section view through the mail box of FIGS.4 and 5 showing a plurality of the mail boxes mounted in the wall of abuilding.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section view showing a preferredmounting for the lock means for the mail box of FIGS. 4-6.

FIG. 8 is a partially schematic view illustrating the preferredelectrical connection of the switch means and signal means for the mailbox of FIGS. 47.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of another preferred specific embodiment ofthe invention wherein the mail box is particularly constructed andadapted for use on rural routes.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross section view through the mail box ofFIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a view schematically illustrating the electrical connectionbetween the switch means and the alarm means of the mail box of FIGS. 9and 10.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a signal housing and signaling means mountedthereon usable with the various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 13 is an elevation view of another preferred specific embodiment ofthe safety mail box of the invention shown mounted in a brick wall.

FIG. 14 is a cross section view through the mail box and wall shown inFIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing the preferred electrical connectionbetween the switch means and. the signal means of the mail box of FIGS.13 and 14.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary view, partially broken away, from the rear ofthe box of FIGS. 13-15.

The following is a discussion and description of preferred specificembodiments of the new safety mail box of the invent-ion, such beingmade with reference to the drawings whereon the same reference numeralsare used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. It isto be understood that such discussion and description is not to undulylimit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and to FIGS. 1-3 in particularwhere a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is .showngenerally at 20 and includes an elongated hollow box body 22 having anelongated fiat and generally rectangular back plate 24 which ismountable on an outer wall of a house or the like by the use of commonscrews 26 or other suitable means. The box body 22 includes twoelongated fiat side plates 28 and 30 which are the mirror image of eachother and are each fixedly connected in the rear edge portion toopposite ones of the side edge portions of the back plate 24 and projectfrom the back plate 24 in planes which are substantially parallel toeach other and substantially perpendicular to the plane of the backplate. If desired, the side plates 28 and 3!} can be integrally formedwith the back plate 24. Preferably, the rear end portion of the upperend of both of the side plates 28 and 30 are substantially perpendicularto the plane of the back plate 24 and the intermediate and forwardportions 36 and 38 of the upper end of both of the side plates 28 and30, respectively, are desirably inclined downwardly from the rear endportions 32 and 34 thereof. The inclined portions 36 and 38 of the sideplates 28 and 30 terminate at the side edges of the plates opposite fromthe back plate 24.

An elongated and generally rectangular front plate 44) is provided andhas the side edge portions thereof fixedly connected to the front sideedge portions of the side plates 28 and 30 and desirably the front plateextends from the lowermost ends of the inclined portions 36 and 38 ofthe side plates downwardly to the lowermost edges of the side plates.The front plate 40 is preferably positioned in a plane substantiallyparallel to the plane of the back plate 24 and substantiallyperpendicular to the planes of the side plates 28 and 30. The frontplate'40 is desirably provided With a latch receiving recess 42positioned in the upper end portion of the outer face of the plate 40 toreceive a latch member as described hereinafter. Also, a window-or thelike 44 can be provided on an outer face of the front plate 40 anddesirably has glass or other transparent means therein to preventtampering with mail, etc. in the interior of the box through the window.Also, suitable indicia 46 can be provided on the outer surface of the.front plate 40 identifying the mail box and such is particularlydesirable for use with a safety or alarm mail box since this alone maybe sufficient to deter would-be thieves from tampering with the mail boxand attempting to obtain mail or the like from the interior thereof.

A bottom plate 50 is provided and is preferably movably connected to thelower portion of the back plate 24 by a piano hinge or the like 52.Plate 50 is of size and shape to close the bottom of the box body 22 andprevent mail or the like inside the box from being intentionally orinadvertently removed through the lower portion of the box body whenplate 50 is in the closed position. Preferably, a flexible catch member53 is provided and is fixedly connected in one edge port-ion to theforward portion of the bot-tom plate 50 and positioned to frictionallyengage the outer surface of the lower edge portion of the front plate 40to thereby hold the bottom plate in the closed position.

Two elongated, thin shields 54 and 56 are provided and are rigidlysecure-d in a lower edge portion to opposite side edge portions of thebottom plate 50 at the rear end portion of the plate and are preferablypositioned inwardly a sufliciently distance from the outermost edges ofthe bottom plate to be received in the hollow of the box body 22adjacent the side plates 28 and 30 when the bottom plate is in theclosed position. Shields 54 and 56 are desirably relatively rigid andinflexible so that they cannot be easily bent or broken by oneattempting to disengage the alarm system described hereinafter.

Two bars 60 and 62 are preferably provided and are connected in one endportion to the lower edge of the back plate 24 and if desired can beintegrally formed with the back plate. The bars 60 and 62 are of likesize and extend downwardly from the lower edge of the back plate 24 inthe plane of the back plate. The lower end portions of the bars eachhave one end portion of one of the curved holder members 64 and 66secured thereto. The holder members 64 and 66 are desirably generallyarcuate in shape as illustrated in FIG. 1 and project outw-ardly andupwardly from the lower end portions of the bars 60 and 62 in spacedrelation to each other and in spaced relation to the lower plate 50 andthe lower end of the front plate 40. The holder members 64 and 66 from anewspaper and magazine holding rack. If desired the outermost endportions of the holder members 64 and 66 can be provided withcylindrical abutments or stops 63 and 70 which limit inadvertent outwardmovement of magazines, papers or the like held by the holder members.The holder members 64 and 66 are shaped and positioned to be out of theinterfering way of the bottom plate 50 during opening and closingmovement of the bottom plate about the hinge 52.

A cover 72 is movably mounted on the box body 22 and is preferablyconnected in the rear edge portion to the upper edge portion of the backplate 24 by a continuous piano hinge 74. The cover 72 is desirably ofsize and shape to extend entirely across and enclose the opening at thetop of the box body vfrom back plate 24 to front plate 40 and from oneside plate 28 to the other side plate 30. Preferably the cover 72 isshaped so that the front portion 76 and the rear portion 7-8 aredisposed in spaced and generally parallel planes with the intermediateportion 80 being inclined relative to the planes of the front and rearportions of the cover. In use the rear portion '78 engages and ispositioned over the rearmost portions 32 and 34 of the upper edgeportions of the side plates 28 and 30 and the inclined intermediateportion 89 of the cover 72 is positioned along the inclined portions 36and 38 of the side plates with the front portion 76 of the coverprojecting outwardly from the lowermost edge of the inclined portions ofthe side plates and the uppermost edge of the front plate 40. The frontportion 76 of the cover 72 preferably has a latch member 82 connectedthereto and projecting from the lower surface thereof and in the centerportion of the cover with the latch member 82 being positioned andshaped to engage and be received in the recess 42 in the upper edgeportion of the front plate 40 to thereby hold the cover in a closedposition.

Two additional elongated, thin and relatively rigid shields 84 nad 86are provided and preferably fixedly secured to opposite side edgeportions of the inner surface of the cover 72 and preferably extendalong the rear portion '78 of the cover and into the inclinedintermediate portion 80 of the cover. The shields are positioned to bereceived within the box body 22 when the cover 72 is in the closedposition with the shields 84 and 86 desirably being adjacent the innersurfaces of the side plates 28 and 39.

A switch housing is shown generally at 90 and preferably includes twoside plates 92 and 94 and a front plate 96 which are preferably closedor irnperforate and the housing 90 is desirably shaped to provide switchreceiving recesses 98 and 100 at the upper and lower end portions,respectively, of the housing. Desirably the switch receiving recess 98has a hole or opening 102 53 through the upper end thereof while theswitch receiving recess 1% has a hole or opening 104 in the lower endthereof with the holes 182 and 194 being provided to accommodate switchoperators or the like. The switch housing 90 is preferably positionedwithin the box body 22 and has the rear edge portion of. sides 92 and 94secured to the inner surface of the back plate 24 in any suitablemanner, such as by welding. Thus, the switch housing 11) together withthe back plate 24 pro vides a closed space to accommodate switches andelectrical conductors. As will be seen from FIG. 2 the ends of theswitch housing are positioned adjacent the bottom plate 50 and the cover72 when the bottom plate and cover are in the closed position. A hole16-6 is provided in the back plate 24 and positioned to be in fluidcommunication with the space defined by the switch housing 96 and theback plate.

Two common electrical switches 110 and 112 are provided and each havespring operated switch operators as shown at 114 and 116, respectively.The switch 110 is mounted in the switch receiving recess portion 98 ofthe switch housing 90 with the switch operator 114 thereof projectingthrough the hole or opening 102 in the upper end of the housing 90 andthe switch operator 114 is positioned to be engaged and moved to aretracted position by a portion of the cover 72 when the cover is movedto the closed position. As illustrated in FIG. 3 the switch 111) has twosets of contacts therein provided by the fixed contacts 118 and 128 andthe movable contact 122 which is selectively engageable with the fixedcontacts 118 and 120. With the switch operator 114 in the retractedposition as illustrated in FIG. 3 the movable contact 122 is inengagement with the fixed contact 118 and when the switch operator 114is extended the movable contact 122 moves into engagement with the fixedcontact 12%). Switch 112 is provided with one set of contacts thereinincluding the fixed contact 123 and the movable contact 124 with thecontacts being apart to open the switch when the switch operator 116 isretracted as shown in FIG. 3 and with the contacts being in engagementwhen the switch operator is extended as a result of opening the bottomplate 50.

A signal housing 131) is preferably provided and is mountable at asuitable location in the house or the like on which the box body 22 issecured. The housing 136 mounts a bell 132 and a lightbulb socket 134which is desirably provided with a common lightbulb 136. A conduit 138,FIG. 2 is connected in one end portion to the outer surface of the backplate 24 and surrounds the hole or opening 106 in the back plate to bein communication with the space defined by the back plate and the switchhousing 99 through the hole. The other end portion of the conduit 138 isconnected to the housing 130 in any suitable manner. FIG. 12 illustratesa preferred arrangement for mounting of the signal means on housing 130.

Electrical conductors are positioned in the conduit 138 and connect thecontacts in the switches with the lightbulb socket and bells to formelectric circuits to operate the signal means in response to opening andclosing movement of the cover 72 and bottom plate 50. A source ofelectric power is diagrammatically indicated at 140 in FIG. 3 and isconnected to a common transformer 142 in the house or the like to stepthe current down to the desired rating. Conductor 144 is connected tothe transformer 142 and to conductors 146 and 148 with the conductor 146leading to fixed contact 123 in switch 112 and with conductor 148leading to the movable contact 122 in switch 110. Fixed contact 118 inswitch 110 is connected by conductor 150 to lightbulb socket 134 throughmanually operated switch 152 which is normally closed. Conductor 154provides a ground or return wire to the transformer 142. Thus, a firstelectric circuit is provided by the conductors 144, 148, 150 and 154through the contacts 122 and 118 in switch 110 and through the 6 switch152 in the housing 130. Thus, when switch operator 114 is in the closedor retracted position as illustrated in FIG. 3 an electric circuit iscompleted to the lightbulb 136 when the switch 152 is closed.

Two additional bells 156 and 158 of any suitable and common constructioncan be provided and are preferably mounted at the front and rearportions of the house or the like on which the mail box 20 is connectedand the bells 156 and 158 are electrically connected in parallel withthe bell 132 by conductors 160, 162, 164 and 166. A second electriccircuit is provided to operate the bells 132, 156 and 158 and thiscircuit is provided by current from transformer 142 passing throughconductors 144 and 148 to the movable contact 122 which is moved intocontact with the fixed contact 120 in switch when the switch operator114 is extended as a result of opening the cover 72. Contact isconnected by a conductor 168 to a conductor 170 which is in turnconnected to conductor 172 which connects the bell 132 in the circuitand also connects bells 156 and 158 in the circuit through a manuallyoperated switch 174 which is desirably mounted in the housing and ismoved to the closed position when it is desired to place bells 156 and'158 in the circuit. The circuit to the bells is completed by conductor176 from hell 132 connected to the conductor 166 from hell 158 andjoined to the conductor 154 leading to the transformer 142. Thus, asecond circuit to the bells is provided and is closed upon closing ofthe switch 110 to contact 122 and 120 and by closing of the manuallyoperated switch 174.

Switch 112 is connected in the second electric circuit to the bells bythe conductor 178 which is connected to conductor and to the movablecontact 124 in switch 112 so that when the switch operator 116 of switch112 is extended by moving the bottom plate 50 to an open position theswitch 112 is closed to provide electric current through conductors 144,146, 178, 170 and 172 to the bell 132 and .to the other bells asexplained hereinbefore. Thus, switches 110 and 112 are in parallel inthe second circuit so that movement of either the bottom plate 50 or thecover 72 provides electric current to the bells for operation thereofand thereby provide an audible warning signal to the occupant of thehouse indicating that mail or the like is being inserted into or removedfrom the mail box. The use of the electric ligh bulb circuit isdesirable in that it provides an indication to the household owner thatthe electric circuits are in operable condition. In other words, shouldconduit 138 and the conductors therein be cut to eliminate the operationof the bells the lightbulb would also go out and it would be apparent tothe occupant of the house that the circuits were not in operablecondition. Also, when the bells in the house ring the occupant of thehouse can, by observing the lightbulb in the housing 130, determinewhether the cover 72 or bottom plate 50 is opened, the lightbulb andbell both being on only when bottom plate 50 is open. When the cover 72is open the lightbulb 136 will be out of the circuit or turned off dueto the position of switch 110.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-8, another preferred specific embodiment of thesafety mail box of the invention is shown generally at 200 andpreferably includes an elongated container shown generally at 202 whichhas an elongated, fiat and generally rectangular back plate 204 which ispreferably mountable on a wood frame member 206 in an apartment house,etc. by common wood screws or the like 208.

The container further includes two elongated fiat side plates 210 and212 which are of the like size and shape and are the mirror imagerelation to each other and are fixedly connected in the rear edgeportion to opposite side edge portions of the back plate 204. The sideplates 210 and 212 project from the back plate 204 in planessubstantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular tothe plane of the back plate. A bottom plate 214 is provided with thecontainer and desirably rests on suitable frame means 216 in the recessin the apartment house or the like. The bottom plate 214 is fixedlyconnected to the lower edge portions of the back plate 204 and both ofthe side plates 210 and 212 to thereby close the bottom of thecontainer. A top plate 218 is provided and is secured in the edgeportions thereof to the upper edge portions of the back plate 204 andboth of the side plates 210 and 212 and preferably the top plate 218 hasa hole or opening 220 therein of size to accommodate a switch operatoras described hereinafter.

An open and generally rectangular shaped frame 222 is provided andincludes upper and lower portions 224 and 226, respectively, and sideportions 228 and 230, the frame 222 being rigidly secured in the inneredge portions to the outer or front edge portions of the top plate 218,the bottom plate 214 and the two side plates 210 and 212 and the frame222 projects outwardly therefrom and is engageable with adjacentportions of the outside wall 232 of the building in which the mail boxis mounted.

A generally channel shaped mail receiving member is illustratedgenerally at 234 in the drawings and desirably includes a fiat frontWall 236 which is shaped and of size to fit within and in close fittingrelation to the inner peripheral surface of the frame 222. A floor 238is provided and is preferably rigidly connected to the lower edge of thefront wall 236 and extends rearwardly therefrom in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to the front wall and is of size to overly andsubstantially cover the bottom plate 214 when the mail receiving memberis positioned within the container. A rear wall 240 is connected to andprojects upwardly from the rear edge portion of the floor 238 and isdesirably located in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of thefront wall and substantially perpendicular to the plane of the bottomwall 238. The mail receiving member 234 is desirably connected to thecontainer 203 by pivotally mounting the mail receiving member 234 on thecontainer at the intersection of the front wall 236 of the bottom wall238 as illustrated by the pivot 242 in FIG. 5. Preferably, an upperportion 244 of the rear wall 240 is displaced forwardly from the planeof the lower portion of the rear wall to define switch actuating meansoperable to actuate switch means in the manner described hereinafter.

The front wall 236 can be provided with a window 246 which is preferablycovered with glass or other suitable transparent means to view theinterior of the box and determine whether mail or the like is in themail box 200. In this embodiment, as in the previously describedembodiment, the box can be provided with suitable indicia as shown at248 indicating that the box is a safety type mail box to thereby deterwould-be thieves.

The front wall 236 is desirably provided with an elongated andrelatively narrow slot 250 which extends transversely across the frontwall adjacent hte upper edge portion thereof to provide an opening forthe receipt and passage of mail or the like into the mail receivingmember 234.

Lock means are desirably provided to hold the front wall 236 in theclosed position. Preferably, the lock means includes a key operated lockmember 252 which is positioned with the front end portion thereofprojecting through 'a hole or opening 254 in the front wall 236 and withthe ,member 252 being secured in place by welding or other suitablemeans on the inner surface of the front wall. The lock member 252preferably has a lock operator member 256 operatively connected theretoand projecting from the inner end thereof. The lock operator 256 ispositionable in a slot or the like 258 in the side wall 210 of thecontainer to'hold the mail receiving member in the closed position.

Two electrical switches 260 and 262 are provided and are of a commonconstruction having switch operators 264 and 266, respectivelyprojecting therefrom. The

switch operators 264 and 266 are preferably spring biased and aremovable from a retracted to an extended position to operate theswitches. Switch 260 is preferably provided with fixed electricalcontacts 268 and 270 and a movable electric contact 272 to therebyprovide two sets of electrical contacts with the movable contact beingengageable with the fixed contact 270 when the switch operator 264 is inan extended position as shown in FIG. 8 and with the movable contact 272being in contact with the fixed contact 268 when the switch operator 264is in a retracted position. Likewise, switch 262 is provided with fixedelectrical contacts 274 and 276 and a movable contact 278 with themovable contact 278 being in engagement with the fixed contact 276 whenthe switch operator 266 is in a retracted position and engageable withthe fixed contact 274 when the switch operator 266 is in an extendedposition. FIG. 8 illustrates the movable contacts in the positionsassumed when the mail box portions are in the positions illustrated inFIG. 5. Switch 260 is preferably mounted on the outer surface of the topplate 218 with the switch operator 264 thereof positioned in andextending through the opening 220 in the top plate 218. Switch operator266 of switch 262 is movable by the switch actuating portion 244 of therear wall 240 of the mail receiving member 234 upon pivotal movement ofthe mail receiving member about the pivot 242.

Means are provided to engage and move the switch operator 264 of switch260. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings a switchactuating member 280 is provided which has a relatively straight andflat intermediate portion 282 which is pivotally connected in the edgesto the side plates 210 and 212 by a pivot 284. One end portion 286 ofthe switch operating member 280 is at an angle relative to theintermediate portion thereof and is positioned adjacent the outermostend of the switch operator 264 and movable into engagement with theswitch operator 264 to retract same. The other end portion 288 of theswitch actuating member 280 is also at an angle relative to theintermediate portion thereof and is preferably relatively long incomparison to the end protion 286 so that the member 280 assumes theposition shown in the solid lines in FIG. 5 when the mail box is mountedin a vertical plane. The switch operating member 280 is positionedinside the container 202 with the end portion 288 being adjacent theslot 250 in the front wall 236 of the mail receiving member. The switchactuating member 280 is mounted so that the outermost edge of the endportion 288 thereof is normally adjacent the lower edge of the slot asbest illustrated in FIG. 5 in the solid lines so that when a piece ofmail or the like as indicated at 290 is inserted through the slot 250the switch actuating member 280 is moved from the position shown in thesolid lines to the position shown in the dashed lines to cause the endportion 286 of the switch actuating member to engage the switch operator264 and retract same to move the fixed contact 272 into engagement withthe fixed contact 268. As will be observed from FIG. 5, mail cannot beinserted into or removed from the mail box through slot 250 withoutmoving the end portion 288 of the switch actuating member to theposition shown in the dashed lines and causing operation of the switch260.

A signal housing 292 is provided and is substantially the same orsimilar in construction as that illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 12 for thepreviously described embodiment. Housing 292 mounts a bell 294 and alightbulb socket 296 having a common lightbulb 298 therein. A conduit300 is connected in the end portions to the top plate 218 of thecontainer 202 and to the signal housing 292 to receive electricalconductors forming electric circuits including the switches 260 and 262and the lightbulb socket 296 and bell 294.

A source of electric power 302 is connected to a household transformer304 and a conductor 306 is connected to the transformer 304 and to themovable contact 272 in switch 260. A conductor 308 is connected to themovable contact 278 in switch 262 and to the conductor 306 to therebyconnect the movable contacts in both switches in parallel. Fixed contact270 of switch 260 is connected by a conductor 310 to lightbulb socket296 through manually operated switch 312 which is normally in the closedposition and a conductor 314 connects the fixed contact 276 of switch262 to the conductor 310. Conductor 316 is connected to the lightbulbsocket 296 and to the ground or return conductor 318 leading to thetransformer 304 to thereby complete a first electric circuit connectingthe switches 260 and 262 in parallel to the lightbulb socket 296 to thatcurrent is supplied to the lightbulb socket when the switch operator 264of switch 260 is in an extended position and when the switch operator266 of switch 262 is in a retracted position as illustrated in FIG. 8.

Two additional bells 320 and 322 are preferably provided and aremountable at the front or rear of the house or apartment having one mailbox 200 and the bells 320 and 322 are connected by conductors 324 and326 to the end of conductor 318 leading to the transformer 304 and areconnected by conductors 328 and 330 to conductor 332 having a switch 334therein, the switch 334 being manually operated to place bells 320 and322 into or out of the circuit as desired by the home owner. Conductors336 and 337 are connected to bell 294 and to the conductors 332 and 338,respectively, thereby connecting the bells 294, 320 and 322 in parallel.Switch 334 is in conductor 332 between conductor 336 and the bells 320and 322 so that when switch 334 is in open bell 294 is still operated byswitches 260 and 262.

Fixed contact 268 of switch 260 is connected by a conductor 338 toconductor 332 and the fixed contact 274 in switch 262 is connected byconductor 340 to the con ductor 332 so that when the switch operator 264of switch 260 is retracted and/or switch operator 266 of switch 262 isextended electric current is provided to the bells through transformer304, conductors 306, 308, 338, 340 and 332.

\Vith the mail box 200 constructed and mounted as described hereinbeforethe bell 294 and bells 320 and 322 are operated upon inserting mail orthe like 290 into the box through slot 250 due to the movement of theswitch actuating member 280 which engages switch operator 264 of switch260 to retract same and close the circuit to the bells through conductor338. Should anyone attempt to remove mail through the slot 250 it willbe necessary to move the switch actuating member to obtain access to themail and thereby actuate the bells in the manner described.

When the mail box is opened to remove mail by unlocking the lock 252 andpivoting the mail receiving member 234 about the pivot 242 to gainaccess to the interior thereof the switch operator 266 of switch 262will be released from engagement with the portion 244 of the rear wall240 of the mail receiving member to permit the switch operator 266 tomove to an extended position thereby closing movable contact 278 to thefixed contact 274 and providing electric current through conductors 340and 332 to the bells to again provide an audible signal. Should anyoneattempt to disengage the signal means by cutting the wires in theconduit 300 then the lightbulb 298 will go off indicating to the home orapartment occupant that there is trouble in the circuits and indicatingthat someone may be attempting to obtain access to the mail box withoutactivating the bell signals.

Another preferred specific embodiment of the safety mail box of theinvention is shown generally at 400 in FIGS. 9-12 and this embodiment ofthe invention is particularly usable on rural routes or the like. Themail box 400 is mounted on a hollow pipe 401 which has the lower endportion thereof mountable in the ground or the like. Mail box 400includes an elongated box body shown generally at 402 which includes anelongated, fiat bottom plate 404 which is preferably rectangular inshape and has a center portion of the outer surface of the bottom platesecured to the upper end of the pipe 401. A hole 406 is provided in thebottom plate 404 and opens into the upper end portion of the pipe 401.An electrical conduit 408 is desirably provided and one end portion ofthe conduit 406 is conected to the bottom of plate 464 and surrounds thehole or opening 406 in the bottom plate 404.

A flat back plate 410 is provided and is connected in the lower edgeportion to the rear edge portion of the bottom plate 404 and projectsupwardly therefrom in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plateof the bottom plate. The back plate 410 is preferably arcuate along theupper edge portions thereof as shown at 412 in FIG. 9 with the arcuateportion preferably being substantially semi-circular in shape andmerging into straight side portions as shown at 414 in FIG. 9.

An elongated cover member is shown generally at 416 and includes anarcuate upper portion 418 which is preferably substantiallysemi-cylindrical in shape and has a radius substantially the same as thearcuate portion 412 of the back plate 410. The arcuate portion 418 ofthe cover member also preferably merges into substantially parallelplanes and which have the lower edges thereof rigidly connected toopposite side edges of the bottom plate 404 in any suitable manner, suchas by welding. The rearrnost edge of the cover member 416 is preferablyrigidly connected to the outer edges of the side and arcuate portions ofthe back plate 410 and the cover member, back plate and bottom platedefine a substantially hollow box body for the receipt and holding ofmail and the like.

If desired, the usual mail indicating flag means 424 can be pivotallyconnected to one side of the cover member 418 and movable from asubstantially horizontal position as shown in FIG. 9 to a substantiallyvertical position to indicate to the home owner that mail has beeninserted into the mail box.

A catch member 426 is rigidly secured in one end portion to the forwardportion of the arcuate portion 418 of the cover member 416 and theintermediate portion 428 and the forwardmost portion 430 of the catchmember 426 are preferably positioned in overlying and spaced relation tothe forward edge of the cover member and generally in a plane parallelto the end portion of the catch member which is secured to the covermember.

The mail box 400 includes a door 432 which can be provided with a window434 and suitable indicia or markings 436 indicating the box is a safetytype mail box. The door 432 has straight side portions 438 and 440 whichsmoothly merge into an arcuate and preferably generally semi-circularupper portion 446. Door 432 has an integral flange 448 which extendsentirely around the side portions 438, 440 and the arcuate portion 446and projects rearwardly from the front face of the door. The door ismovably mounted on the box 400 in any suitable manner, such as by pivotsat the lower edge portions of the flange portions as illustrated by thepivot 450 in FIG. 9. Pivot 450 passes through the flange 448 and throughthe lower edge portion of the forwardmost portion of the cover member416. When the door 432 is in the closed position as indicated in FIGS. 9and 10 the flange projecting rearwardly from the arcuate portion 446 ofthe door member is positioned between the forwardmost edge portion ofthe cover 416 and the center portion 428 of the catch member 426.

A generally U-sh-aped catch member 452 is secured to the center portionof the arcuate portion 446 of the door 432 adjacent the upper edgeportion thereof by having one side or leg of the channel-shaped catchmember 452 rigidly connected to the door by welding or other suitablemeans and the catch member 452 is positioned so that the center portionthereof friction-ally engages the intermediate portion 428 of the catchmember 426 and cooperates therewith to hold the door 432 in the closedposition.

An elongated switch housing 460 is provided and is positioned within thebox body 402 and is desirably connected to the bottom plate 404 in anysuitable manner, such as by screws or the like 462. Desirably the rearend portion of the switch housing 460 is connected to the bottom plate404 and the intermediate and forward portions thereof are in closefitting and spaced relation to the intermediate and forward portions ofthe bottom plate as illustrated in FIG. to form a space to receiveswitch means and conductors as described hereinafter. Preferably theintermediate portion of the switch housing 460 is positioned over thehole 406 in the bottom plate 404.

A switch 464 is provided and desirably is of the type having a springoperated switch operator 466 projecting therefrom and the switch 464 ispreferably positioned between the forward end portion of the housing 460and the forward portion of the bottom plate 404 with the switch operator466 projecting outwardly toward the door 432 and engageable with thelower portion of the door when the door is in the closed position. \Viththe door in the closed position the switch operator is in a retractedposition and when the door is opened the switch operator is extended byoperation of the spring means therein. Preferably, the switch 464 hastwo fixed contacts 468 and 470 therein and :a movable contact 472 whichis movable from a position in contact with the fixed contact 468 whenthe door is in a closed position and the switch operator retracted to aposition in contact with the fixed contact 47 0 when the door is openand the switch operator 466 is extended. Thus, two sets of electricalcontacts are provided which are connectable in separate electricalcircuits to perform the desired functions.

A signal housing 474 is provided and is mountable in a house or the likein spaced relation to the mail box 400 and the other end portion ofconduit 408 can be connected to the switch housing 474. Preferably theconduit 408 is buried between the pipe 401 and the house containing theswitch housing 474 so that it will be diflicult to locate and sever theconduit and the wires contained therein. The housing 474 mounts a bell476 and a lightbulb socket 478 having a common lightbulb 480 therein.

. Electrical conductors pass through the conduit 408 and connect thelightbulb socket 478 and bell 476 to a source of electric power with theswitch 464 being in the circuit to control operation of the signalmeans.

A source of electric power is shown diagrammatically at 482 in FIG. 11and is connected to a transformer or the like 484 with the transformerbeing connected by a conductor 486 to the movable contact 472 in theswitch 464. Another conductor 488 is connected to the fixed contact 468and to the lightbulb socket 478 through manually controlled switch 490.Lightbulb socket 478 is also connected by conductors 492, 494 and 496 tothe transformer 484 to complete a first electric circuit and thiscircuit will be closed when manually operated switch 490 is in theclosed position and the switch operator 466 is in a retracted positionto provide electric contact between the movable contact 472 and thefixed contact 468.

Two additional bells 500 and 502 are preferably provided and aremountable at the front or rear of the house or the like or in othersuitable positions to provide an audible signal upon opening of the door432. The bells 500 and 502 are desirably connected in parallel to thebell 476 by a conductor 504 connecting bell 476 to the conductor 492 andby conductor 492 terminating at bell 502 and by conductors 506 and 508connecting bells 502 and 500. Conductor 496 also connects bell 500 tothe transformer 484. A switch 510 is provided in conductor 506 toprovide manual control of operation of the bells 500 and 502. Theconductor 506 is also connected to the fixed contact 470 in switch 464so that when the switch operator 466 is in the extended position as aresult of opening the door 432 the movable contact 472 is in contactwith the fixed contact 470 to provide electric current from transformer474 through switch 464 and manually operated switch 510 to the bells476, 500 and 502. This second electric circuit to the bells provides anaudible warning signal to the occupant of the house or the like which isoperable every time the door 432 is opened or closed for the insertionor removal of mail and provides audible warning signal means. The firstcircuit to the light-bulb socket and lightbulb is closed when the dooris in the closed position only and provides a signal indicating that theconductors in pipe or conduit 408 have not been totally severed by athief or someone attempting to disconnect the safety apparatus.

The flange 448 on the cover 432 is quite effective for this type of mailbox in that it prevents anyone from tampering with or preventingoperation of the switch 464 by inserting a tool or the like between thedoor and the cover member 416 which might be possible in the absence ofthe flange. By the time the door is opened a sufficient distance topermit insertion of a tool or the like to hold the switch operator 466in the closed position the switch operator will have been movedoutwardly by the spring action of the switch to cause contact betweenthe movable contact 472 and the fixed contact 470 to operate the audiblealarm signal.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-16, another preferred specific embodiment ofthe mail box of the invention is shown generally at 600 and thisembodiment of the invention is particularly constructed and adapted formounting in a wall of a house or the like as shown at 602 with the box600 being openable from both the exterior and interior of the house.Wall 602 can, of course, be of brick construction as shown in thedrawings or of wood or any other suitable construction. The box 600includes an elongated hollow box body shown generally at 604 whichpreferably includes two elongated fiat side plates 606 and 608 which arepositioned in substantially parallel planes with the plates beingconstructed and mounted in mirror image relation to each other. A topplate 610 is secured in the side edges to the upper edge portions to theside plates 606 and 608 and is preferably positioned in a planesubstantially perpendicular to the planes of the side plates. The topplate 610 desirably has a hole or opening 612 therein which is of sizeto receive and pass electrical conductors or the like as describedhereinafter. A conduit 614 is preferably provided and positioned in thewall 602 and desirably has one end portion thereof connected to theouter surface of the top plate 610 and is positioned to surround thehole 612 in the top plate.

.The forward lower portion of the side plates 606 and 608 are preferablycut away or shaped as best illustrated in FIG. 14 to provide a loweredge on the side plate which includes a front portion 616 and a rearportion 618 which are desirably substantially parallel to the plane ofthe top plate 610 and an inclined portion 620 which is between the frontportion 616 and the rear portion 618 thereof and desirably terminates inthe upper edge portion at the rear end of the front portion 616 and thebottom edge of the side plates. Also, the lower edge of the side platesincludes a portion 622 which is preferably substantially perpendicularto the plane of the top plate 610 and extends from the rear or lower endof the inclined intermediate portion 620 to the front end of the rearend portion 618. A bottom plate 624 is positioned between and secured tothe lower edges of the side plates 606 and 608 and the bottom plate 624is desirably shaped and of size to conform to the shape of the loweredge of the side plates as described hereinbefore. The shape andpositioning of the lower edge of the side plates 606 and 608 and theshape of the bottom plate 624 are quite desirable and will aid inpreventing removal of the mail box 600 through the front opening in thewall as best shown at the left in FIG. 14.

A first open rectangular frame is shown generally at 630 and isconnected to the rear edges of the side plates 606 and 608, the topplate 610 and the bottom plate 624. The frame 630 includes an upperportion 632, a lower portion 634 and two side portions 636 and 638 whichproject outwardly from the rear edges of the side plates, top plate andbottom plate and are preferably positioned in a plane generallyperpendicular to the plane of the top plate. Frame 630 also includes aportion along the top shown at 640 which projects downwardly towardbottom plate 624 to close off an upper portion of the box body. A latchmember .642 projects re arwardly from the lower edge of frame portion640.

An inside or rear door 644 is provided and is movably connected on therear of the box body 604 in any suitable manner, such as by the use ofpivots as shown at 646 to connect the door 644 to the lower rear portionof the side plates 6% and 608. Door 644 is preferably of size and shapeto substantially close the opening defined by the frame 636 at the rearof the box body. A latch member 648 is preferably provided and rigidlysecured to the upper edge portion of the door 644 and positioned tofrictionally engage and cooperate with the latch member 642 on frame 636to thereby aid in holding the door 644 in the closed position.

A second open rectangular frame is preferably provided and is showngenerally at 650 and is connected to the front edge portions of the sideplates 606 and 693, the top plate 616 and the bottom plate 624 andsurrounds the opening formed by these plates. Preferably the frame 650includes upper and lower portions 652 and 654, respectively, and twoside portions 656 and 653 and the portions 652, 654, 656 and 65S extendoutwardly from the side plates 6G6 and 663 and top and bottom plates 616and 624. Preferably the frame 650 includes a fiange portion 666 whichextends inwardly from the portion 652 and inwardly from the top plate61-8 as shown in FIG. 14. Flange portion 666 is preferably integrallyformed with the portion 652 of the frame 656.

A front or second door 662 is preferably provided and is connected tothe front portion of the box body 664 in any suitable manner, such as bythe use of the pivots as shown at 664 in FIG. 14, the pivot beingconnected to the door 662 and to the side plates 666 and 668. Door 662is pere'ferably of size and shape to substantially close the opening inframe 650 at the front part of the box body and can include suitableindicia as shown at 666 identifying the type of mail box.

A latch member 668 is preferably provided and rigidly secured in oneedge to the lower portion 654 of the frame 650 and projects outwardlytherefrom as best illustrated in FIG. 14. A cooperating latch member 670is desirably provided on the lower portion of the door 662 and projectsoutwardly and downward-1y therefrom as best illustrated in FIG. 14 andpreferably is positioned to frictionally engage and cooperate with thelatch member 668 to hold the door 662 in the closed position.

A switch 672 is provided and preferably is of the type having a springactuated switch operator 664 projecting therefrom. Switch 674 isdesirably connected to the forward portion of the inner surface of thetop plate 610 adjacent the door 662 and with the switch operator 674projecting downwardly toward the bottom plate 624. Switch 672 has twofixed electrical contacts 676 and 678 therein and a movable contact 686which is movable with the switch operator 674- from a retracted positionin contact with the fixed contact 676 as shown in FIG. 15 to an extendedposition in contact with the fixed contacts 678 to thereby provide twosets of electrical contacts in the switch.

A signal housing 632 is provided and is mountable in a house or the likehaving the mail box 600 mounted thereon. Housing 682 desirably mounts abell 684 and a lightbulb socket 686 having a lightbulb 683 therein. Theother end portion of the pipe or conduit 614 is desirably connected tothe housing 682 and electrical conductors forming circuits connectingthe switch 672 and signals in housing 682 are preferably passed throughthe conduit of pipe 614.

A first electric circuit is provided by electrical conductors andconnects the lightbul-b socket 686 to a source of electric power showndiagrammatically at 690. Preferably this is accomplished by a conductor692 connecting the source of electric power 69%) to a householdtransformer 694 which in turn is connected by a conductor 696 to themovable contact 680 in switch 672. Another conductor 663 connects thefixed contact 676 to the lightbulb socket 636 through a manuallyoperated switch 760 on the housing 632. The electric circuit to thesocket 686 is completed by a ground or return wire 702 connecting thelightouib socket 686 to the transformer 694. Thus, with the switch 674in a retracted position and with movable contact 680 in contact with thefixed contact 676 an electrical circuit is completed to the lightbulbsocket so that the lightbulb 6-88 therein will be on when the switchoperator 674 is in the retracted position as shown in FIG. 15. Twoadditional bells 764 and 706 are preferably provided and are mountableat the front and rear of the house or the like containing the safetymail box means of the invention and the bells 764 and 706 are preferablyelectrically connected in parallel to the bell 684, such as by theconductors 768, 716' and 712 together with the manually operated switch714 in the signal housing 682.

Electric current is provided from the transformer 694 to the bells whenthe switch operator 674 is extended to move the movable contact 680'into engagement with the fixed electrical contact 678 with current thenpassing through conductor 696, through the movable contact 686 to thefixed contact 678 and then through conductor 716 to the conductors 712,708 and 716 to the bells. The circuit to the bells is completed by thereturn or ground conductors 718, 726, 722 and 762.

A switch actuating member 736 is provided and is preferably rigidlysecured in one end portion to an upper portion of the inner surface ofthe door 662 with the other end portion of the switch actuating memberbeing positioned to engage and cause retraction of the switch operator674 of switch 672 when door 662 is moved to the closed position.Likewise, switch actuating member 730 will be moved with the door 662when the door is moved to an open position to relase the switch operator674 and permit extension thereof to close contact 680 to contact 676 inthe switch.

When the door 66-2 of mail box 6% is in the closed position electriccurrent is provided from the transformer 694 through movable and fixedcontacts 680 and 676 in the switch 672 to the lightbulb 688 so that samewill be on and indicate the conductors have not been cut or otherwisedisengaged. At this time the second circuit to the bells 684, 704 and706 will be open and electric current cannot pass through switch 672 tothe bells. When door 662 is open to insert or remove mail through thefront end of the mail box body 604 then switch actuating member 736 isreleased from engagement with the switch operator 674 to permit theswitch operator to be extended and move movable contact 680 intoengagement with the fixed contact 673 in the switch 672 to thereby stopthe flow of electric current to the lightbulb 688 and close the circuitto the bells to provide an audible warning signal to the occupant of thehouse indicating that mail or the like is being inserted into or removedfrom the box. the box 664 by opening the rear or back door 644 withoutleaving the house.

The mail box 600cm conveniently be installed in the wall 602 duringconstruction of a house, etc. and, of course, the box 606 can also beinstalled in houses subsequent to construction thereof.

In each of the various embodiments of the mail box of the inventiondescribed hereinbefore the alarm system operates every time mail isinserted into or removed from the mail box through the desired openingmeans therefor and the visual signal means is in operation when the doormeans is closed so that the home owner can readily as- The occupant canthen remove mail from certain that the alarm system is in operablecondition and that all of the conductors leading from the mail box tothe signal means have not been cut.

While the invention has been described in connection with preferredspecific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that thisdescription is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of theinvention, which is defined by the claims.

We claim:

1. A safety mail box comprising, in combination, an elongated hollow boxbody having an elongated flat back plate mountable on a wall or the likeof a house, two elongated flat side plates each fixedly connected in oneedge portion to side edge portions of said back plate and projectingtherefrom, the rear end portion of the upper end of each of said sideplates being perpendicular to the plane of said back plate and inclineddownwardly in the intermediate portion and front end portion thereof tothe side edges opposite from said back plate, and an elongated frontplate having the side edge portions thereof connected to said last-namedside edges of said side plates, said front plate extending from the endsof said inclined portions of said side plates to the lowermost edges ofsaid side plates, said front plate having a latch receiv ing recess inthe upper end portion of the outer face thereof, a bottom plate hingedlyconnected in one edge to the lower portion of said back plate with saidbottom plate being of size to close the bottom of said box body, aflexible catch connected to the opposite edge of said bottom plate andpositioned to engage the lower portion of said front plate to hold saidbottom plate in the closed position, two elongated shields secured toopposite ones of the side edge portions of said bottom plate at the rearend portions thereof and positioned to be received in the hollow of saidbox body adjacent said side plates when said bottom plate is closed, twobars each connected in one end portion to the lower edge of said backplate and extending downwardly therefrom, two curved holder members,said bars having one end of said holder members secured to the lower endportions of said bars with said holder members projecting outwardly fromsaid lower end portions of said bars to each other to form a paper andmagzaine holder, said holder members being shaped and positioned to beout of the interfering way of said bottom plate during opening and theclosing movement of said bottom plate, and a cover for said box-bodyhingedly-connected in the rear edge portion to said upper edge of saidback plate and extending across said box body from one of said sideplates to the other of said side plates, the front and rear portions ofsaid cover being disposed in spaced and generally parallel planes withthe intermediate portion of said cover being inclined and of size andpositioned to engage and rest on said inclined portion of said upperedges of said side plates, said front edge portion of said cover havinga latch projecting from the lower surface thereof positionable in saidlatch recess of said front plate when said cover is in the closedposition, two other elongated shields secured to opposite side edgeportions of the inner surface of said cover extending along said rearportion and the adjacent portion of said inclined portion of said coverand positioned to be received Within said box body when said cover isclosed, a switch housing closed at the sides, front and the upper andlower ends, said switch housing being positioned within said box bodyand having said :sides at the rear edge thereof secured to said backplate :and defining with said rear plate a space to accommodate.switches and electric conductors, said upper and lower ends of saidswitch housing each having a hole therethrough, and terminating adjacentsaid bottom plate and said cover when closed, said rear plate having ahole therethrough in communication with said space in said switchhousing, two electrical switches having spring operated switch operatorsprojecting therefrom, one of said switches being mounted in the upperend portion (of said switch housing with said switch operator thereofextendable through said hole in said upper end of said housing andpositioned to be engageable by said cover when closed to retract saidswitch operator and close said switch to one set of contacts with saidswitch being closed to another set of contacts therein when said coveris open and said switch op erator is extended, the other of saidswitches being mounted in the lower end portion of said housing withsaid switch operator thereof projecting through said hole in said lowerend of said switch housing and with said switch operator beingpositioned to be engageable by said bottom plate when closed to retractsaid operator and open a set of contacts in said switch with saidoperator being extended when said bottom plate is opened to close saidset of contacts in said switch, said elongated shields on said coverswhen retracted into said box being positioned between the sides thereofand said switch housing, and a signal housing mountable in a house orthe like and mounting a bell and a light bulb socket with a light bulbtherein, electrical conductors forming a first electric circuitconnecting said light bulb socket to a source of electric power throughsaid one set of contacts in said one of said switches, two other bellsmountable at the front and rear of said house and electrically connectedin parallel to said bell in said signal housing, other electricalconductors forming a second electric circuit connecting said last-namedbells and said bell in said signal housing to a source of electric powerwith said other set of contacts in said one of said switches and saidset'of contacts in said other of said switches being in parallel in saidsecond circuit so that extension of either of said switch operatorsprovides electric current to said bells, said safety mail box beingconstructed and adapted so that when said cover and said bottom plateare in the closed positions said second circuit to said bells is openand said first circuit to said light socket is closed, electric currentbeing provided to said bells upon opening of said cover or said bottomplate.

2. A safety mail box comprising, in combination, an elongated hollow boxbody having a back plate mountable on a house or the like, two flat sideplates fixedly connected to said back plate and projecting therefromwith the intermeditae and forward portions of the upper edge of each ofsaid side plates being inclined down wardly from the rear end portionthereof, and a .front plate connected in the side edges thereof to saidside plates, a bottom plate movably connected in one edge to the loweredge portion of said back plate and of size to close the bottom of saidbox body, fastening means on said bottom plate to hold same in a closedposition, shield means connected to said edge portions of said bottomplate and positioned thereon to be received within the hollow of saidbox body adjacent said side plates when said bottom plate is closed, acover for said box body movably connected in a rear edge portion to theupper edge portion of said back plate with said cover being shaped andof size to close the upper portion of said box body and engage saidupper portion of said side plates, cooperating latch means on said coverand said front plate engageable when said cover is in the closedposition, additional shield means connected to the inner surface of saidcover along side edge portions thereof and positioned to be receivedwithin said box body when said cover is in the closed position, a switchhousing connected to said rear plate to provide a space to accommodateelectrical switches and conductors, said housing having a hole in theupper and lower end portions thereof, two electrical switches mounted insaid housing each having a spring operated switch operator projectingtherefrom with one of said switches being adjacent said upper endportion of said housing with said switch operator thereof extendablethrough said hole in said housing and positioned to be engageable by aportion of said cover when closed to retract said switch operator andoperate said one of said switches, the other of said switches beingpositioned in said lower end portion of said housing with said switchoperator thereof projecting from said hole in said lower portion of saidswitch housing and with said switch operator thereof being engageable bya portion of said bottom plate when closed to retract said switchoperator, said shield means when retracted into said box being betweenside portions thereof and said switch housing, a signal housingmountable in a house or the like in spaced relation to said box body andcontaining a bell and a light bulb socket with a light bulb therein,conduit means connecting said signal housing and said box body,electrical conductors passing through said conduit and forming a firstelectric circuit connecting said light bulb socket to a source ofelectric power through said one of said switches, other electricalconductors forming a separate electrical circuit connecting said bell toa source of electric power with both of said switches being in parallelin said second circuit so that extension of either of said switchoperators provides electric current to said bell, said mail box beingconstructed and adapted so that visual and audible signals are providedto the home owner to indicate opening of either said cover or saidbottom plate for insertion or removal of mail from said mail box.

3. Safety box means for the receipt of mail or the like comprising, incombination, a hollow box body having a back, a front, and two sides,said box having an opening in an upper portion thereof and a coverrnovably connected thereto of size to close said opening, an opening ina lower portion of said box and a cover movably connected thereto ofsize to close said lower opening, latch means on each of said upper andlower covers and another portion of said box engageable when same are-inclosed position, housing means within said box constructed and adaptedto accommodate electrical switch means, electrical switch means mountedin said housing and having operating means projecting therefrom to aposition contactable with said covers, shields positioned on each ofsaid upper and lower covers of said box and constructed to be receivedwithin the hollow of said box when same are in closed position betweenouter portions of said box and said housing means, alarm signal meansmountable in a house or the like in remote relation to said box, saidsignal means having two electrically operated signaling means,electrical conductors connecting said signal means and said switch meanswithin said housing in said box, said safety box means for the receiptof mail constructed and adapted so that dual signals are provided to thehome owner to separately indicate opening of either of said covers oversaid openings in the upper or lower portion of said box.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 713,662 11/1902Miesse.

1,245,259 11/ 1917 Milleville.

1,758,546 5/1930 Wartman 340280 1,976,117 10/1934 Cassel 340-2812,154,459 4/ 1939 Komorowski 340281 2,463,957 3/ 1949 Faulkenbury et al.340281 2,465,935 3/1949 Scalia 340- 281 2,759,057 8/ 1956 Whilden et a1.

2,921,734 1/1960 Whilden et al 340281 X 2,945,219 7/1960 Dunn 340 -2813,114,141 12/1963 Gerace 340-281 NEIL C. READ, Primary Examiner.

R. M. GOLDMAN, Assistant Examiner.

3. SAFETY BOX MEANS FOR THE RECEIPT OF MAIL OR THE LIKE COMPRISING, INCOMBINATION, A HOLLOW BOX BODY HAVING A BACK, A FRONT, AND TWO SIDES,SAID BOX HAVING AN OPENING IN AN UPPER PORTION THEREOF AND A COVERMOVABLY CONNECTD THERETO OF SIZE TO CLOSE SAID OPENING, AN OPENING IN ALOWER PORTION OF SAID BOX AND A COVER MOVABLY CONNECTED THERETO OF SIZETO CLOSE SAID LOWER OPENING, LATCH MEANS ON EACH OF SAID UPPER AND LOWERCOVERS AND ANOTHER PORTION OF SAID BOX ENGAGEABLE WHEN SAME ARE INCLOSED POSITION, HOUSING MEANS WITHIN SAID BOX CONSTRUCTED AND ADAPTEDTO ACCOMMODATE ELECTRICAL SWITCH MEANS, ELECTRICAL SWITCH MEANS MOUNTEDIN SAID HOUSING AND HAVING OPERATING MEANS PROJECTING THEREFROM TO APOSITION CONTACTABLE WITH SAID COVERS, SHIELDS POSITIONED ON EACH OFSAID UPPER AND LOWER COVERS OF SAID BOX AND CONSTRUCTED TO BE RECEIVEDWITHIN THE HOLLOW OF SAID BOX WHEN SAME ARE IN CLOSED POSITION BETWEENOUTER PORTIONS OF SAID BOX AND SAID HOUSING MEANS, ALARM SIGNAL MEANSMOUNTABLE IN A HOUSE OR THE LIKE IN REMOTE RELATION TO SAID BOX, SAIDSIGNAL MEANS HAVING TWO ELECTRICALLY OPERATED SIGNALING MEANS,ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS CONNECTING SAID SIGNAL MEANS AND SAID SWITCH MEANSWITHIN SAID HOUSING IN SAID BOX, SAID SAFETY BOX MEANS FOR THE RE-